First Edition: May 10, 2023
May 10, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
California Confronts Overdose Epidemic Among Former Prison Inmates
By Don Thompson
May 10, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Individuals newly released from prison are 40 times as likely to die of opioid overdoses than members of the general population, researchers say. In response, California corrections officials aim to arm departing inmates with an antidote that can be used to reverse the effects of opioid poisoning.
An Outdated Tracking System Is a Key Factor in Texas’ Foster Care Shortcomings
By Colleen DeGuzman
May 10, 2023
KFF Health News Original
The computer program, designed in 1996 to be a secure location for foster children’s medical and school records and histories of neglect and abuse, is older than Google — and has had far fewer updates.
Republicans Vow Not to Cut Veterans’ Benefits. But the Legislation Suggests Otherwise.
By Michael McAuliff
May 9, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Sparing veterans and defense spending, as Republicans promise, would be extremely difficult, requiring cuts of more than 20% in other parts of the budget. The Republicans’ Limit, Save, Grow Act already proposes a $2 billion cut to the Department of Veterans Affairs by taking back unspent covid relief funding.
Minnesotans May Soon Get Paid Sick, Family Leave
May 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
The state Senate approved a plan that will allow for up to 12 weeks of partial compensation. Every Republican voted against the bill. Also: changes to Medicaid in Connecticut, nonbinary gender markers on driver’s licenses in Indiana, and more.
Home Care Providers Push Back On CMS Rule Requiring Spends On Wages
May 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
Modern Healthcare explains the new CMS proposal is aimed at attracting and retaining more direct care workers amid an industry staffing shortage, and it will require states to spend 80% of certain funds on caregiver wages. Separately, the FTC’s noncompete ban may impact nonprofit hospitals.
Morning Briefing for Tuesday, May 9, 2023
May 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
Abortion pill access, gun legislation, tuberculosis, unregulated pot, teen social media use, safe injection sites, and more are in the news.
Sanders Plans How He’ll Press Makers On Insulin, Drug Pricing
May 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
In a Q&A with Stat, Sen. Bernie Sanders outlined his strategy ahead of Wednesday’s Senate hearing on high costs for insulin, which will include questions to drugmakers like Eli Lilly and also PBMs. In other pharmaceutical news, some drug companies are laying off staff.
For The First Time, US Government Supports Study Into Safe Injection Sites
May 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
A large study will get over $5 million to examine whether overdoses can be prevented by supervised injection sites, which have been controversial in the U.S. despite some successes. Meanwhile, magic mushrooms and marijuana are also in the news.
APA Advises Parents To Monitor Teens’ Social Media Use
May 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
The new guidelines from the American Psychological Association are a first, NPR reports, and they are aimed at teens, parents, teachers, and policymakers during a time when teens are facing high rates of depression and anxiety. The APA also says teens should be trained in media literacy.
Tuberculosis Cases In Toddlers Increased 26% In 2022
May 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report says there were 202 cases of TB in children ages 4 and younger last year, up from 160 cases in that age group in 2021. In other news, health officials are warning of a recent increase in mpox cases in Chicago.
FDA Mifepristone Appeal To Be Heard By Judges Who All Have Anti-Abortion History
May 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
A federal appeals court identified the 3-judge panel that will hear the next phase of the case that will ultimately determine if the drug used in medicated abortions can remain available in the U.S. All have a history of ruling against abortion access or have stated anti-abortion positions. Separately, clinics in three states filed a lawsuit to preserve mifepristone access.
Texas Advances Bill To Up Minimum Age To Buy Some Semi-Automatics
May 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
A Texas House panel voted to move forward “raise the age” legislation that would prohibit selling, renting, or giving certain semi-automatic firearms to under-21-year-olds. The bill is believed to have an uphill climb in the full legislature, though.
Different Takes: Are Health Coaches The New Snake Oil Salesmen?; Evidence Proves Masks Work
May 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
Editorial writers discuss health coaches, masks, covid and more.
First Edition: May 9, 2023
May 9, 2023
Morning Briefing
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
California Debates Extending PTSD Coverage to More First Responders
By Annie Sciacca
May 9, 2023
KFF Health News Original
A state Senate bill would extend workers’ compensation coverage of post-traumatic stress injuries for firefighters and police officers. But a separate bill to cover paramedics and EMTs is unlikely to be heard.
Legal Pot Is More Potent Than Ever — And Still Largely Unregulated
By David Hilzenrath
May 9, 2023
KFF Health News Original
As marijuana has become far more mainstream, potent, and sometimes dangerous, uneven regulation at the state and federal levels leaves consumers at risk.
Beneficiarios de Medi-Cal: cómo verificar si eres elegible
By Bernard J. Wolfson
May 8, 2023
KFF Health News Original
Medi-Cal, la versión de Medicaid en California, puso en marcha una iniciativa de 14 meses para reexaminar la elegibilidad de sus casi 15.8 millones de miembros.
Florida Reconfirms Surgeon General Despite Worries On Scientific Integrity
May 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
Florida’s Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo was reconfirmed Friday for another term by the Republican-controlled state Senate, despite concerns that Ladapo altered language in a covid vaccine safety study to overstate heart health risks.
Though Obesity Is Common, West Virginia Is The Most Obese State: Report
May 8, 2023
Morning Briefing
A US News & World Report report factors CDC adult obesity rates into its annual state ranks: West Virginia’s obesity rate was worst, at 40.7%, just beating Alabama’s 40.4%. Separately, a study found sons of women with polycystic ovary syndrome are more likely to develop obesity.